Ruud van Nistelrooy will finally complete his £18 million move to Manchester United this week.

The 24-year-old Dutch striker has passed a medical on his knee injury and will join the Premiership champions once he's agreed personal terms.

The medical showed there was no permanent damage from the cruciate knee ligament injury he suffered a year ago.

United originally agreed to buy the hitman a year ago - but the deal collapsed when the striker suffered his injury.

Boss Sir Alex Ferguson told The Scotsman: "The deal was always going to be on as long as the lad recovered.

"We've been monitoring his progress throughout the recuperation period and I'm very happy with the way things have gone.

"Strikers are always going to cost a lot these days but if you can get one who is not only top class but still only 24, it's even better."

Van Nistelrooy was out of the game for 10 months and only returned to action for PSV last month.

He is set to make his international comeback on Wednesday when Holland take on Cyprus in a World Cup qualifier.